Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Health & Rehab Sci School
Advances student's understanding of research in in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Develops student's research capabilities in the application of research into sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice.
The course provides first-hand experience with conducting research. The research experience includes critical analysis of the literature relevant to the project and data collection, data-analysis, interpretation of data, and presentation of the research as a verbal viva, abstract and manuscript formatted for a peer-reviewed journal.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PHTY7931
Restrictions
MPhty students only
Course contact
Course coordinator
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Michelle Smith
Associate Professor Julia Treleaven
Dr Zhiqi Liang
Associate Professor Natalie Collins
Program director
Associate Professor Michelle Smith
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
The research projects in this course will be presented to students and further developed by consultation between members of the research groups and their advisor.
Aims and outcomes
To engage students with experience in key aspects of research related to the physiotherapy profession by developing:
•Capacity to critique literature and to identify new research questions in the context of background evidence
•Skills in research project management, data analysis and interpretation, and presentation of research findings via a verbal viva, conference presentation and scientific manuscript.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Critically analyse literature and use this background in the development of scientific questions that can be addressed with directed research
LO2.
Formulate and carry out a research project including the development of hypotheses, methodology, statistical analysis, and time management.
LO3.
Prepare and present research findings for an oral defence
LO4.
Prepare an original research manuscript suitable for publication in a scientific journal.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution | Professional participation and contribution | Pass/Fail (Must Pass) |
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025 |
| Essay/ Critique |
Research background (individual)
|
35% |
17/04/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Research VIVA (individual)
|
45% |
9/06/2025 8:00 am |
| Project |
Journal manuscript (group)
|
20% |
16/06/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Professional participation and contribution
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Pass/Fail (Must Pass)
- Due date
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
You will be required to demonstrate the ability to contribute to and work as part of a team with a common professional purpose. This will include planning and preparation, communication, contribution and active participation in all learning activities. This component is a pass/fail mark which assesses the individual students’ engagement and performance through the processes involved in optimising the chance of a successful research project.
This assessment item is Pass/fail and must be passed for students to pass the course.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Research background (individual)
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
17/04/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
Each student is required to submit the background (introduction) section to their research project. The background will contain the necessary evidence that justifies and supports the research question being addressed in the research project. Each student will prepare and submit a separate (individual)background. This submission has a maximum of 500 words (excluding the title and reference list).
Submission guidelines
This assessment is submitted via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for an extension request and provide evidence of circumstance as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission date. Further information regarding what constitutes an acceptable reason for an extension and how to apply for an assessment extensions can be found at: Applying for an extension - my.UQ - University of Queensland.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Late submission of assessment items will attract a penalty of 10% of the mark per day late or, for work graded on a 1-7 scale, a deduction of one grade per day (including weekends and public holidays), unless a formal extension has been organised prior to the due date.
Research VIVA (individual)
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
9/06/2025 8:00 am
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Each student will participate in a VIVA examination where they will speak about their research project for 7 minutes. This should cover sufficient information to convey the need for the research, the question addressed, the methods used, the results and implications of these results (e.g., clinical, research). The student will then answer questions from the examiners (8 minutes).
To assist the examiners one 250 word abstract will be submitted per group.
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated by Zoom |
Submission guidelines
The group abstract is to be submitted Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Journal manuscript (group)
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
16/06/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
Each group will write a manuscript based on their research findings that is suitable for submission to a peer-review journal. The manuscript must be written according to the guidelines of the selected journal and be less than 3500 words (excluding the abstract, tables, figures and references). The manuscript cannot exceed 3500 words, even if the selected journal allows a greater word count. The author guidelines for the selected journal must also be submitted as an Appendices with the manuscript. Please note that this is group assessment item.
Submission guidelines
This assessment is submitted via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for an extension request and provide evidence of circumstance as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission date. Further information regarding what constitutes an acceptable reason for an extension and how to apply for an assessment extensions can be found at: Applying for an extension - my.UQ - University of Queensland.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Late submission of assessment items will attract a penalty of 10% of the mark per day late or, for work graded on a 1-7 scale, a deduction of one grade per day (including weekends and public holidays), unless a formal extension has been organised prior to the due date.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 34 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 0 - 34%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 35 - 49 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment ofﾠ35 - 49%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 50 - 59 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 50ﾠ- 59%.ﾠ A grade of 3 will be awarded to a student who achieves a final mark of 60% or higher but who does not pass the 'must pass' assessment items noted below. |
| 4 (Pass) | 60 - 69 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 60ﾠ- 69%ﾠandﾠhas passedﾠthe 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 5 (Credit) | 70 - 79 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 70ﾠ- 79%ﾠandﾠhas passed the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 80 - 89 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 80ﾠ- 89%ﾠandﾠhas passed the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 90 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 90ﾠ- 100%ﾠandﾠhas passed the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
Additional course grading information
Final marks falling between whole percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage. Tie-breaking will be conducted using the round half up method whereby half-way values are always rounded up, meaning, for example, that 89.5% and above will be rounded to 90% and 89.49% and below will be rounded down to 89%.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This course contains ‘must pass’ assessment items. You must pass the Professional Participation and Contributionﾠto pass this course overall, i.e. even if your final percentage mark is 60% or higher the individual ‘must pass’ assessment item must have been passed.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Resubmission/Resit of assessment items
The School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences supports the concept of resubmission or resitting of failed assessment items in specific and defined circumstances.ﾠIn this course, the Oral Viva is eligible for consideration of the resit option if the original assessment item was completed on time.
After resubmission, the maximum result is a pass mark for that assessment component. Students who are granted a resubmission for an assessment item and do not submit by the scheduled date will not be granted an extension.
Deferred exams
Students may be eligible for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam.
Further details, including how to apply, can be found at -ﾠhttps://my.uq.edu.au/node/189/0#0. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Submitting assessment in Blackboard and Turnitin
When assessment is submitted through Blackboard you will receive a confirmation page as a digital receipt.ﾠThis information will also be sent to your student e-mail account.ﾠPlease ensure you keep this email.
When assessment is submitted through Turnitin you will receive a confirmation page displaying “Submission Complete!” and can then proceed to download your digital receiptﾠfrom your Assignment inbox. It is suggested that you save a copy of the receipt for your personal records.
Instructions on how to submit assignments through Blackboard and Turnitin are available at: https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/learnuq-assessment. Please review this information so you understand how to successfully submit your assessment items.
Use of Generative AI in Assessments
Assessment tasks in this course evaluate students' abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Team Based Learning |
Group Research Project Students will be allocated to a research group which will be assigned a research mentor/advisor. Research groups will work with their advisor to complete their research project. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Online lecture series This course contains a series of interactive lectures on how to write a journal article and how to undertake the research methodology being used to answer the research questions. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: